LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Cincinnati's volleyball team, which posted wins vs. No. 5 Illinois and Purdue last weekend in capturing the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge, claimed the No. 25 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll, the association announced today.

The Bearcats last were ranked in the AVCA Top 25 on Nov. 17, 2003 when they were No. 23, three spots behind the all-time highest ranking of No. 20, the week prior. This is just the fifth time UC has appeared in the coaches poll since it started in 1982.

UC owns a record of 10-3 this season, including a pair of wins vs. Top 25 squads. The wins vs. No. 16 Kentucky on Sept. 7 and No. 5 Illinois on Sept. 17 mark the first time in the program's 37-year history Cincinnati has knocked off two ranked teams in the same season. The 3-0 win over Illinois this past weekend also marks the highest-ranked team the Bearcats have ever beaten.

Cincinnati travels to Morehead State tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 21, in its last non-conference match-up before taking on BIG EAST Conference foes Seton Hall on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Rutgers on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. at home in Fifth Third Arena.